Joe Giella, R.I.P.

One of the great artists of the Silver Age of comic books, Joe Giella, passed away two days ago at age 94.

Giella was very familiar to me as he inked many of the DC Comics super-hero comic books such as Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash and others. He was also the artist of the Mary Worth newspaper comic strip for many years. 

His inking embellished the pencils of Carmine Infantino, Sheldon Moldoff, Gil Kane and others.

His family posted this announcement on Facebook:

The Giella family wishes for all to celebrate the incredible life of Joe Giella. Joe passed peacefully on March 21st at the age of 94.

Joe was such a special person. His presence alone would put you at ease. Even on the most difficult days, just being with him would make everything OK again.

He was so honest and sincere, so kind and gentle and so loving and proud.

He was so proud of his service for his country in the US Navy.

He was so proud of his long prolific career in comic books and comic strips.

And he was most proud of his family. To him, family was everything. Nothing made him happier than sitting around the dinner table with family and friends. Sundays and Holidays became sacred events full of laughter and great food.

Joe’s legacy in comic books and comic strips will live on. Our family wishes to thank all of his friends and fans for their support. He truly was humbled by all the attention and love he received. Thank you all and when you think of Joe please try to smile. The world needs more superheroes like Joe.

Joe Giella 

June 27, 1928 – March 21, 2023 

First Issue of My Superman Subscription

There are some things in one's life experiences that stick to one even after 56 years have passed.

Back in the 1960s, DC Comics (known then as National Periodical Publications) offered subscriptions to their comics. If I remember correctly, a year's subscription (10 issues) to their comics was $1.00. At that time, comic books cost 12 cents on the newsstand with 80-page giants costing 25 cents (they were called annuals before). The 80-page giants weren't included in subscriptions.

I subscribed to Superman back in late 1965 and the first issue of my subscription was Superman no. 182 (January 1966 cover date). Someone posted the cover of the issue in a Curt Swan Facebook fan page.

The cover was penciled by Swan and inked by Sheldon Moldoff. It appears Superman's face was re-done by Al Plastino (for whatever reason). 

This particular comic book is now considered a "key issue" as it was the first Silver Age appearance of The Toyman (Winslow Percival Schott). A copy of it is now listed at eBay for $89.99. 

I still have my copy.

This is the cover of that issue:

Sheldon Moldoff Dies At 91

Above, a Curt Swan/Sheldon Moldoff cover from the mid-1960s.

Golden Age/Silver Age artist Sheldon Moldoff passed away at age 91.

Moldoff was one of Bob Kane's "ghost artists" on Batman. He also shared inking duties for Curt Swan with George Klein in the 1960s.

According to Wikipedia:

He co-created the Batman supervillains Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, Matt Hagen (Clayface), and Bat-Mite, as well as the original heroes Batgirl and Ace the Bat Hound. Moldoff is also the sole creator of the Black Pirate (Jon Valor).

Moldoff died on February 29.